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Study Abroad Program Review of AIFS: Hyderabad - University of Hyderabad

Submitted by Riane Menardi (Magazines and News/Internet,female,Drake University) on July 1st, 2010

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Academics
Language
Housing & Food
Culture & Health
Final Opinion

Personal Information

Start Date:

Dec 27, 2009

End Date:

May 6, 2010

If you enrolled at multiple foreign universities, please list them here:

University of Hyderabad

International exposure prior to program?

2 weeks-1 month

Academics Overall

**Overall educational experience:

**Comment:

Teachers were often late or cancelled class for no apparent reason. The grading system was easy and unorganized, but very open-ended, so we got to choose the content of our tests and assignments, and even the final exam date. I don't feel like I learned as much in the classroom as out of it, and I was often disappointed by the professionalism of my teachers. They seemed not to take much interest in our education or viewpoints.

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Course Title:

SIP Kuchipudi Dance

Course Department and Number:

Instructor:

Aruna

Language of Instruction:

English

Please comment on the course:

Easily my favorite class. We learned traditional South-Indian dance in the common room of our hostel, and gave a performance at the end of the year. Teacher was extremely knowledgeable, funny and informative. I participated as fully as possible.

Please rate the course overall:

Did you have any credit transfer issues upon return to your home institution? If so, what would you suggest to other students?

No. It transfers as an arts and sciences credit for me.

Course

**Course Title:

SIP Indian Philosophy

**Course Department and Number:

**Instructor:

Dr. Prasad

**Language of Instruction:

English

**Please comment on the course:

A brief overview of all the schools of Indian philosophical thought. A little rushed and hard to follow (knowing Sanskrit would make this class much easier) but a good introductory course. Professor is very animated and excited about the subject. Tests and papers are completely of your own choosing.

**Please rate the course overall:

**Did you have any credit transfer issues upon return to your home institution? If so, what would you suggest to other students?

Course

**Course Title:

SIP Yoga Theory and Practice

**Course Department and Number:

**Instructor:

Yashoda Thakore

**Language of Instruction:

English

**Please comment on the course:

Very calming course. Teacher sometimes cancels class or doesn't show up or is late, but she is very interested in the betterment of her students. A very loving person and informed on a number of things, she is a great person to learn yoga from. I felt more relaxed, engaged and informed after taking this class.

**Please rate the course overall:

**Did you have any credit transfer issues upon return to your home institution? If so, what would you suggest to other students?

Again, transfers as arts and sciences.

Course

**Course Title:

Women studies in India

**Course Department and Number:

SIP

**Instructor:

Dr. Rekha Pande

**Language of Instruction:

English

**Please comment on the course:

Haphazard and unorganized. Professor had very little respect for Western students and taught with a series of pre-used slideshows. She often cancelled class. If you don't regurgitate what she has taught you, she dismisses your ideas. Little room for free thinking in this class. Subject material, however, was very interesting.

**Please rate the course overall:

**Did you have any credit transfer issues upon return to your home institution? If so, what would you suggest to other students?

Host Country Program Administration Overall

**On-site administration of your program:

**Please explain the program's strengths and weaknesses:

Sumana is wonderful. She is always available and helpful. She is very knowledgeable about both Indian and American cultures and makes the transition as smooth as possible. She is very detail-oriented but fun and hilarious. She has great activities and even invites you to her home to hang out with her family for the afternoon. She is the best director in Hyderabad, out of all the programs I came across.

Housing Overall

Living arrangements? (all that apply):

Hostel

Who did you live with?

Americans

International Students

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

**Housing satisfaction:

**Comment:

Tagore International Hostel. It is clean, convenient, equipped with wi-fi and easily accessible to all academic buildings.

No chance to improve foreign language skills, but I did enjoy living in the international hostel. I wish we weren't so isolated and could interact more with Indian college students.

Food Overall

**Food satisfaction:

**Comment:

Same food every week. Little variation. Not great quality, and not extreely Indian.

Safety and Health Overall

**How well were health issues addressed through your program?

**Safety:

**Comment:

I felt very safe. India seems scary but it's not. I didn't have any healthcare issues, so I don't know about the system. Malaria pills are useful, Hepatitis shots and tetanus.

Money Overall

**How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

General Assessment Overall

**Words of wisdom:

Stay open to everything and everyone you come across. Trust people but be wary (some may be trying to cheat you for money or international status). But learn something from everyone and get out of your hostel as often as possible. Don't stay cooped up. Go do things, meet people and keep your eyes open. Follow little adventures. Sometimes walking through a non-touristy village can be the highlight of your time in India. It has a way of showing you things it wants you to see.

**If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same program?

Yes

**Overall satisfaction with your study abroad experience:

**Was your study abroad experience worthwhile?

Very worthwhile. I learned about class, poverty, religion, East vs West, being the other, and being noticed. It's impossible to blend in India, and you can either take advantage of that or let it bother you. I learned how to deal with people different from me and learn from them. I saw the flaws we have as an American society and the good things we do, too. I learned that everyone has their own problems, but to face them head-on is the best way to conquer them. I learned about myself and what I was capable of, and how to get out of my comfort zone and be a part of something bigger and better than what I was used to.

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Study Abroad Program Review of AIFS: Hyderabad - University of Hyderabad

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